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I have spent the last several years pursuing the build of a CNC router. It was a demanding experience, knowing absolutely nothing about the subject, either hardware or software. I now have it in a condition where I can use it, instead of designing and building it. It is completely designed and built by me. This is the third generation of the build and is really in a usable state. It can cut 3/4" hardwoods at a decent clip of around 2 inches a second and is basically rock solid. It is built mostly of Baltic Birch, has dual leadscrews for the long axis, and special V-bearings riding on the rails. A few months ago I added a tail vise so I could route with the work piece held vertically. So now I can route dovetails and fancy mortise and tenons etc. It can also do the more standard horizontal work of part profile cutting, sign making, rosette carving, and such.

It is fun to watch and I learned a lot. Now I need to get back to woodworking.

Edit: A two part blog on this build is here.

Here are some example cuts that I did while building it:

Dovetails
Celtic Tenon1
Celtic Tenon2
Wooden Clock Gears
House Sign
Rosette

And some projects:
Shell Box
Salt Box
Jewelry Box

A multi part blog including a vacuum clamp

Steve

Gallery

Comments

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9,145 Posts
Great job. Did you write the software or are you using a commercial product.
 

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863 Posts
Steve -

Unbelievable! I really like theHouse Sign and Celtic Tenon, but the delicate wooden clock gears . . . those are really impressive!
 

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2,489 Posts
Intrigueing. I'm impressed.
 

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469 Posts
Now that is a project. Very impressive indeed… Great job….
 

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641 Posts
An amazing accomplishment! Any plans to blog your experience?
 

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939 Posts
WOW - you are the man!!!
 

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1,043 Posts
Absolutely outstanding!
 

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504 Posts
Great job Steve. Tell us more. Do you have a program that makes dovetails or do you have to program each project? Does it take less time to program or do the project freehand that is, have you reached the breakeven point yet? Will you be blogging any of the details. Even without pictures, the story would be fascinating to a lot of people I'm sure. Maybe you could blog a small project using the CNC router….
 

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1,100 Posts
Awesome.

I don't know if I'd want to make one myself but I'd sure like to know how you did it.
 

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187 Posts
Holy mackerel! That is absolutely unbelievable.
 

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187 Posts
Hey Steve….. This is one that should get submitted to a magaizine.
 

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3,693 Posts
I tip my hat to you!............tonight I shall raise a glass to you!

There are many things in life that I would never attempt…...........thats one of them!

Regards
 

· In Loving Memory
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977 Posts
Brlliant. I want to build one too - to complete the "Sketchup to build list to cutting list to CNC router" vision.

I'm particularly impressed that you did it all yourself from scratch and that it is built of wood - well done and what a beauty!

Will you be sharing your plans in any way? I have software, hardware and woodworking experience - I'm ready to get started!

Beware the home CNC router woodworking tool - everyone will have one soon.
 

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3,110 Posts
Fantastic job!
I always wanted to try building one of those.
Where did you get your linear actuators and bridge hardware.

Bob
 

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6,840 Posts
Wow! That is an amzing feat of engineering combined with woodworking!
 

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1,832 Posts
Nice! I really like this sort of thing…marrying woodworking with technology. Brilliant!
 

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396 Posts
Outstanding job.
 

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1,331 Posts
Way cool! I've got a controller and a handful of stepper motors here that I've been wanting to do that with, you got there first.
 

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1,342 Posts
Great work Steve. I would love to see the design, learn how you did it, etc. I would like to have one as well. The CNC's you purchase are expensive, but this looks like it would bring the cost down considerably.
 
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